Authenticity Associates Kim Ward PhD & Hilary Stokes PhD

If you are feeling anxious, stressed or irritable try this technique. It combines bilateral eye movements with diaphragmatic breathing and will help release contracted emotion and regulate your nervous system. This is part of a video series we put together to support all of us to stay calm, grounded and connected! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yEKJNP4SqA

Existential trauma is happening, the toll on mental health is massive. We are seeing approximately a 700% increase in mental health issues. Suicide, anxiety, and depression rates are all up. A stark reminder to be compassionate, be kind, and share your love with others. The world needs it.

We so enjoyed talking with Jessica Vilchis on California Live NBC News about strategies to deal with stress and fear during the coronavirus. We hope you are finding ways to calm your mind, relax your body and keep your hearts open https://www.nbcsandiego.com//holistic-counseling-/2311306/

Great resource for parents and families at home needing some extra support. https://wideopenschool.org/

In these times of uncertainty, we wanted to reach out and post 9 practices to help calm your mind, relax your nervous system and soothe your heart. We have been using these for years in our practice. You are in our hearts and prayers! Hilary and Kim https://www.authenticityassociates.com/9-neuroscience-hack/

So powerful! https://youtu.be/ZqoRGr3icTo

The connection between childhood trauma and psychological and physical health imbalances is significant. It’s great to finally see initiatives addressing it! Answer the 10 ACE questions to see your connection. https://www.nbcnews.com//california-s-first-surgeon-genera

Great infographic on Science of Happiness based on the work of an awesome teacher and friend Brian Luke Seaward!

Trauma linked to chronic pain with or without a physical cause. Such a common experience by many with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, depression and unexplained lingering pain. Mind body approaches are highly effective for treating trauma and pain.

A primary reason we use mind body strategies for treating trauma, anxiety and depression... "(CBT) has accumulated the most research support, even though we know that the whole cognitive part of the brain shuts down when people are traumatized, triggering the primitive survival part of the brain. So using CBT with trauma is like telling somebody with an amputated leg to take up running. It can certainly give people a sense of perspective on their coping options when they’re in the right frame of mind, but it has limited value with severe trauma." Bessel van der Kolk to read the full article go to [https://psychotherapynetworker.org//the-evolution-of-traum](https://psychotherapynetworker.org//the-evolution-of-traum)

Thank goodness we are expanding our knowledge on how to identify and help those who are struggling most with PTSD.

Good support for children and adults...